Once a teacher, always a teacher. It’s not an exaggeration- it’s the truth.
When someone becomes a teacher because they love children and want to offer the best to them, then they don’t stop serving their students even after they pass away. They still live in the memories of the children they taught, and, sometimes, they live through their legacy.
A New Jersey teacher’s legacy will keep her alive through the years to come because all she wanted to do was help her special educational needs students.
Genevive Via Cava, who passed away in 2011 at the age of 88, had spent most of her life teaching.
Via Cava taught special education students during her entire career. And, although in her personal life she was quite reserved, when she was around her students she became a completely different person.
“She was a no nonsense, no frills woman but generous and big hearted towards kids,” her friend Richard Jablonski told CBS News.
The woman’s life was simple, mostly dedicated to her career. When she was not teaching, she used to clip coupons. Eventually, she became a secret millionaire, without ever telling anyone.
Even her friend of 30 years, Richard Jablonski, had no idea that she was rich. Via Cava even used to wear the same outfit at work. She would literally wear the same clothes all the time. Nobody could ever imagine that she was anything but a poor woman.
When she passed away, given that she had no immediate family, Jablonski found out that he had inherited her home.
Via Cava had an estate worth over 1 million dollars. Her friend inherited the house, where his son and grandchildren live today, but the rest of the estate was destined for others.
The Dumont school district received a million dollars. In fact, they received a check about seven years later- but it was definitely worth the wait!
Everyone in the school district was left speechless. They had no idea the woman was rich, and besides that, it was the first time they had received such a donation.
“She must have had a tremendous connection with the district and the students,” said Emanuele Triggiano, superintendent of the Dumont School District, adding: “The most we have ever seen from any group was in the tens of thousands but never something like this.”
Indeed, Via Cava must have been an amazing teacher and a selfless person. She had all the money she could ask for, but she never used it for herself. On the contrary, she tried to help her students even after she was gone.
That’s exactly what it means to be a dedicated teacher.
The money has been invested and every year, there will be a $25,000 scholarship for students with special educational needs who want to further their education.
“It’s an eye-opening experience for them because this opens more doors for opportunity,” said Paul Barbato, the Dumont School District Director of Special Services.
Watch the details of this touching story in the video below!
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